Police, community and calendar briefs for Sept. 21, 2013

Published: Friday, September 20, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 20, 2013 at 7:35 p.m.

POLICE BEAT

Photos released of credit card thieves

Ocala police have released surveillance images of two men believed to have used a stolen school credit card at a local store.

The card was reported stolen Sept. 12 from a school and shortly afterward was used at Walmart at 2600 SW 19th Ave. Road to purchase lawn equipment. Police said the items were taken to the Walmart at 4980 E. Silver Springs Blvd., where one of the men attempted to return the goods for cash. The employee instead credited the card. The second man tried to use the card to buy more goods, but it was declined because it had been canceled.

Detectives are trying to find the men and hope someone will identify them from the photos. Anyone with information can call Detective Shawn Minucci at 369-7183, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP. Tips can be texted via the MyPD App, to 274637 using keyword 368STOP or to ocalapd using TIP411.

COMMUNITY

Bowl-a-thon benefits Habitat for Humanity

The third annual Habitat for Humanity of Marion County Bowl to Build Bowl-a-thon will be held from 1:45 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at AMF Galaxy West Lanes, 1818 SW 17th St., Ocala.

Registration is from 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.

The event will include a silent auction and raffles.

For more information, call 351-4663 or visit www.habitatocala.com.

CF hosting career and college expo Thursday

The College of Central Florida will host a careers and colleges expo from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the gymnasium at 3001 SW College Road, in partnership with Marion County Public Schools.

More than 80 presenters from CF and other colleges, universities and vocational schools in and out of state will share information and answer questions. The military academies will also be represented.

Admission is free.

For more information, call 854-2322, ext. 1543, or email bellamyr@cf.edu.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI of Marion County) will offer a free Family-to-Family Education Program for families, partners, caregivers and friends of individuals living with schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, panic disorder, OCD or other mental illness.

The program will run for 12 weeks, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., starting Oct. 6, at the Centers, Building 1, 5664 SW 60th Ave., Ocala.

Registration is required.

For more information, call 368-2405 or email education@namiocala.org.

Teams sought for 32nd annual chili cook off

Registration is open for the 32nd annual Marion County Chili Cook Off, which will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala.

The registration fee is $70; the deadline is Oct. 4.

For more information, call 895-1648 or visit www.marioncountychilicookoff.org.

Tournament to benefit United Way of Marion

United Way is hosting a four-person best ball scramble golf tournament beginning at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 8 at the Golf Club of Ocala, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

The cost is $100 per person. All proceeds will be donated to United Way of Marion County.

The entry deadline is Nov. 1.

Sign up forms are available at www.uwmc.org.

For more information, call 291-0292 or 622-1318.

Housing Authority can help with mortgages

The Ocala Housing Authority has financial assistance available to homeowners who qualify through the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program.